A subcellularly targeted photocaged inhibitor for mitochondrial carbonic anhydrase V.

We report the first photoactivatable inhibitor specifically targeting mitochondrial CA-V, a promising anti-obesity target. It features a sulfonamide metal-binding group caged with a photoremovable coumarin and guided to mitochondria via a pyridinium moiety. Light exposure removes the cage, enabling precise spatial and temporal inhibition of mitochondrial CA-V activity.